Our iPhone 3G cracked, too -- what gives, Apple?

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 10th 2008 at 5:47PM

Not to say we really doubted it before, but what little uncertainty we had as to the validity of claims that white iPhone 3Gs were cracking has now vanished, seeing how it just happened to us. This darned thing has been handled with kid gloves, hasn't gone through any temperature extremes, and has just generally lived the kind of luxurious, pampered life your average workhorse smartphone can only dream of, so we've got to chalk it up to poor design, poor materials, poor manufacturing, or a combination of the three. So, readers -- check the backs of your iPhone 3Gs recently?

Filed under: Apple

Tags: apple, crack, iphone, iphone 3g, Iphone3g

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Highly Ranked

John @ Aug 10th 2008 6:01PM

Its called shit QC, probably due to cutting costs to increase margins, or ultimate secrecy to the point of paranoia..

But lets all be honest here.. even if this device spontaneously exploded in your hand and left permanent scarring, you guys would still love Apple and buy it again.

Neutral

MBS @ Aug 11th 2008 11:00AM

No material known to man can contain the sheer awesomeness inside the iPhone!

Highly Ranked

boss-hogg @ Aug 11th 2008 2:09PM

I guess you get what you pay for? Never had a Nokia crack like that, ill stick with my E71.

Highest Ranked

Alex @ Aug 10th 2008 6:23PM

Yep, I've got cracks too, two of them on the back bottom going toy he dock connector. Mine has been handled like a baby, also. It's obviously not just an issue for the white ones, because mine is black, you just have to look a little harder to find them.

Neutral

Kaan Demircan @ Aug 10th 2008 7:34PM

Same thing happened to the bottom of mine too, also black. What can we do about this?

Lowest Ranked

bustafone @ Aug 10th 2008 6:28PM

So what!

Stop crying, walk down your nearest Apple store and get a new one.

Neutral

Labeeb @ Aug 23rd 2008 1:50PM

Why dont you throw a millionn dollars in the dumpster?

Low Ranked

phoenixpr @ Aug 11th 2008 2:31PM

I agree!
That iPhone crack every one is experiencing. Is Apple Freudian slip
of extending to all you ass hole for being early adaptor what Crack
Heads you all are. So stop crying and get yourself an LG Dare! I Dare
you..

Highest Ranked

Colin @ Aug 10th 2008 6:42PM

Try taking a small flashlight and turning it on and put it directly on the back of your phone just to see how bad it is. Just discovered this the other day.

Neutral

SaNcTuS @ Aug 10th 2008 6:51PM

No cracks on my white puppy. :)
Tho, if it does crack, will the guys at the apple store replace it for free?

Highest Ranked

itsnotabigtruck @ Aug 10th 2008 7:21PM

Nope - they'll blame it on you and refuse to replace it. Remember that Apple could /never/ have quality control issues.

Neutral

SaNcTuS @ Aug 10th 2008 7:22PM

Ah! I hardly let people see my phone, now I won't let anybody see it! *hides phone in pants*. Let see people try to use my phone. *calls self on house phone*....awwww yess....

Highest Ranked

Christian Walters @ Aug 10th 2008 8:30PM

@SaNcTuS, I lol'ed about that last part! WELL MET!

Neutral

Carl @ Aug 10th 2008 7:11PM

Is this happening to the black ones also or just the white?

Neutral

Isomorphic @ Aug 10th 2008 7:14PM

When I opened mine it went straight from plastic cover to Invisible shield, and I've gotta say they do a pretty good job, I accidentally dropped mine down the stairs, yeah I know ouch, and I have done the torch test (as mines black) and it's clean as a whistle.

Neutral

Haxxy @ Aug 10th 2008 7:20PM

The cracks probably occur because of something from the inside, though, which would render the Invisible Shield useless. It could be the fluctuating heat from the battery, or even just plugging in the Dock Connector or pressing the power button.

Neutral

Spencer @ Aug 10th 2008 7:14PM

Mine hasn't cracked yet.......hopefully never.......will apple replace cracked one's?

Highest Ranked

Justin @ Aug 10th 2008 8:22PM

Just inspected my phone and discovered an extremely small hairline crack along the edge. Good job Apple.

Highest Ranked

snowenloe @ Aug 10th 2008 7:52PM

That really sucks! I dont own a iPhone but I would not tolerate this if it ever happened to my BB or ANY device I paid good money for.

Highest Ranked

Christian Walters @ Aug 10th 2008 8:31PM

I cant help but remember the first batches of Nintendo DS Lites, as they had this very same problem. Handling them normally, they would all of a sudden get cracks on the hinges and screen areas...but Nintendo, being the kind hearted beast of a company that they are, replaced them for free...at least for me...twice!

Neutral

thejfed @ Aug 10th 2008 8:38PM

my girlfriend and I both have white 3g iphones hers has never been dropped and is babied while mine has been dropped twice in the street and both had hairline cracks in the exact same spot on the bottom left....apple replaced them today THOUGH they told us they do not have a official stance on it apple is looking into this....oh boy..

Neutral

Michael @ Aug 10th 2008 8:39PM

Im set on getting a new phone whether its a Bold or Iphone these cracks are swaying me to BB and I've been going back n forth on what to get

Neutral

James @ Aug 11th 2008 6:20AM

i have a AT&T Tilt...buddy of mine that has an iphone played w/ the tilt n' says he wishes he had spent his money on it instead of the iphone.... it has many similar features...check it out... the new LG phone is also very similar... there are many more options out there that don't spontaneously combust :P side note: i am anti-apple

Highest Ranked

Mark @ Aug 10th 2008 8:45PM

Serves you right for jumping the ship and using an iPhone.

Low Ranked

phoenixpr @ Aug 11th 2008 2:29PM

I agree!
That iPhone crack every one is experiencing. Is Apple Freudian slip of extending to all you ass hole for being early adaptor what Crack Heads you all are. So stop crying and get yourself an LG Dare! I Dare you..

Neutral

Chris Turpin @ Aug 10th 2008 9:37PM

It's like this...I really don't care about the cracks. If the phone still functions and it feels sturdy, I really don't care. After sending my MacBook through AS Walnut Creek, I don't think it's worth it to try it with an iPhone.

If the phone begins to feel a bit weak, then I'd consider sending it in.

Neutral

SergeantSalad @ Aug 10th 2008 10:02PM

Crappit! My white new iPhone arrives tomorrow, now y'all got me worried.

Highly Ranked

Evilhomer @ Aug 10th 2008 10:08PM

To say that Apple will blame you for this and not exchange the phone is an outright lie. Mine had the tiniest of a scratch on the screen two days after I bought it but the good folks at the Apple store swapped me out with a brand new one. No hassle or blame game whatsoever.

Those of you that say Apple won't help you just don't know what you are talking about and making up shit to suit your needs.

Neutral

Yevon @ Aug 11th 2008 2:58PM

You must be the lucky one then. I went to Apple to replace a brand new and totally defective Shuffle, but they essentially told me to piss off.

So, I took their advice, got a Samsung P2, and lived happily ever after.

Highest Ranked

CaptChunk @ Aug 10th 2008 11:44PM

Just think though, soon enough as the phones continue to crack, some iPhone users will have removable batteries and Apple can pat itself on the back for its forethought!

Highly Ranked

JR007 @ Aug 11th 2008 1:00AM

Wow, this is just some sh!t! Apple needs to step up and replace them. I was set on buying an iPhone soon, but dayum it with these cracks, now I'll have to hold off.

Btw, yes, Engadget, save the day and knock around Apple a bit for some answers.

Neutral

Justin @ Aug 11th 2008 1:23AM

No cracks yet... white one from July 13th... mine lives 24x7 in a DLO silicon case... it doesn't sound like a case matters, though. *sigh*

Highly Ranked

Jordan @ Aug 11th 2008 1:59AM

Bought a white one a few days after launch, discovered a crack between the headphone jack and the screen. That is a TINY area of plastic so I wasn't too surprised, but I took it in and saw a "genius" on stanby and he replaced it with a brand spankin' new one.

Apple takes care of their customers, as Evilhomer said, anyone who says otherwise is making stuff up to suit their needs. Or have never dealt with Apple. Or both.

Highest Ranked

Juggernaut @ Aug 11th 2008 9:55AM

Ha, ask someone who uses their server products, and you might get a different answer. :D

Highest Ranked

Phineas J. Whoopie @ Aug 11th 2008 2:24AM

Man in turtleneck....

"...you wanted copy/paste, you wanted an iPhone that wouldn't crack ... and we listened! We call it 'iPhone 3G plus', and it has all the same great features you've come to love. And, we've totally re-engineered the plastic. It's now twice as strong ---- at the same price!"

Highest Ranked

Amit @ Aug 11th 2008 3:19AM

Not re-engineered the plastic - they will invent the plastic - a new substance that came out of years of research, an Apple innovation!! ;)

Highly Ranked

mrT @ Aug 11th 2008 3:04AM

You guys are _so_ stupid. How can you not understand that this is a cool feature? Vintage phones rules! Thank you Apple, I love you!

Neutral

joe @ Aug 11th 2008 3:17AM

dont worry. happened to me and i made an appt and got mine replaced after 3 other messed up devices. the first replacement was fine until i got in the car and noticed a small dent in the white frame. second unit had scratches on the metal and the third wouldnt boot =[
i got a new one from them =] good call from apple

Highest Ranked

Amit @ Aug 11th 2008 3:23AM

You sure they gave you a new one this time? ;)

Neutral

Hyper @ Aug 11th 2008 8:26AM

the cracks on the white ones are easier to spot then the black ones.. the plastic doesnt seem that strong it wasnt a good decision by apple. and the silent and volume buttons are too edgey :s they feel weird..

Neutral

Lloyd @ Aug 11th 2008 6:58AM

who the hell doesn't use a case with their iphone? i had mine exposed and out of the box without a case for about 3 minutes. put a hard case on it, and have taken it out...never.

secondly, are these cracks superficial, or are they going to hit the performance?

thirdly, who the hell buys an iphone in white anyhow, especially from apple, the company that knows black is so desirable, they have been known to charge extra just for the color.

this is all in jest, though i'm sure some apple fanboi is going to attempt to smite me because i'm not following doctrine.

Neutral

djjc @ Aug 12th 2008 2:43PM

I still don't understand why do you have to buy the iPhone and a case... that's ridiculous... its so ironic to see a wall dedicated to protect the phone.

I have never ever had to put my P1i in a case and looks good, no scratches, no dents, etc.

Highest Ranked

William Becker @ Aug 11th 2008 9:41AM

I've had my BB 8830 for about 7 months now. It's not in a hard case and I have dropped it, not a scratch, don't have to go back to the store to deal with any issues, ect, ect, ect. Don't get me wrong I love the IPhone's and Apple's innovations. But if these issues were with a Microsoft Product "OH MY GOD"

Neutral

pumpernickle @ Aug 11th 2008 11:05AM

Mine cracked, took it to apple, they replaced it right away.

Neutral

Mr. B @ Aug 11th 2008 11:51AM

Has anyone had success getting a replacement at an AT&T store? I'm nowhere near an Apple one.

Neutral

Nic @ Aug 13th 2008 2:37PM

Wouldn't putting your iPhone/iPod in a case right after getting it and never taking it out kind of defeat the purpose of having such a "beautiful" device? I'm sure if all the iPhone commercials showed the iPhones in cases, a lot fewer people would buy them. Also, if they showed an iPhone after a couple of weeks of normal use, not in a case, how many people would buy them then? Probably not a whole bloody lot.

Neutral